Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Side-scrolling action-platformer set in 2035 where you explore an interconnected castle after blacking out during a solar eclipse. You play as Soma Cruz, navigating labyrinthine rooms and fighting monsters throughout. The castle's layout opens up as you gain new abilities, letting you access previously blocked areas. Combat centers on melee weapons and a soul system—defeated enemies can drop souls that grant you their powers or passive bonuses. You'll backtrack through familiar zones with fresh skills, uncovering secrets and optional routes. The goal: find your way out before something worse happens. Suits players who like exploration-driven progression and ability-gated maps.